Sunday, June 26, 2011

Kadochigai - mistaking a door

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One euro was enough to buy me this Japanese dictionary in the Rotterdam book market. When I have to wait, while my computer boots or while my scanner scans, I browse its contents. Each time I'm surprised how language and culture are intertwined. My latest discovery opens a whole Murakami-like world.

"Mistaking a door" was a concept that had never entered my world. But this simple phrase contains a universe of possibilities. One moment you mistake a door and the next moment your whole life has changed.

And this single page contains even more cultural treasures like:

Kadobi - A funeral fire.

Kadomatsu - Pine trees set up for the New Year's decorations.

Kadotsuke - A strolling shamisen player.

For the Japanes﻿e these words are ordinary words. For me they are very exotic and poetic. They show a glimpse of a foreign Haiku-like world. A world that enlarges my horizon even though I can never become a part of it. I may not be able to go through that door, but I can peek inside.